In agriculture-based economy, such as India, one has to put in intensive effort to increase the productivity through legal and operational interventions from time-to-time. Apart from technological interventions, institutional changes have been made from time-to-time, including redistribution of land holding, with an aim to instil a sense of security among those who cultivated land. The term ‘marusi’ is used in India in this context.
How does tenancy farming in India work?
In agricultural production system, tenant farming is an agreement between a landowner, and a tenant for production on a particular piece of land for a fixed period for which the tenant will pay land lease rent.
Based on the agreement, a landowner gives his land while a tenant puts in labour or effort. Other resources required for farming like water, capital, inputs, etc., are optional on the part of a landowner to contribute as per the contract made between them. The land lease rent is paid in cash or kind or both.
See also: Who is Baya? What are his duties and responsibilities?
What is tenancy cultivation pattern in India?
Landowners in India often employ tenants to cultivate and manage their assets. Tenants, or operational managers of a land are of three types.
Occupancy tenants: Occupancy tenants enjoy permanent and heritable rights on a land. They had security of tenure and could claim compensation from landlords for any improvement on the land.
Tenants enjoying the occupancy rights are known as marusi.
Tenants at will: Such tenants do not have a security of tenure and could be evicted from the land if the landlord feels so. They are also made to pay exorbitant rent to the landlords. Tenants without any occupancy rights are known as gair-marusi in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. A tenant-at-will is a tenant from year-to-year, and his rent is determined by the agreement between himself and his landlord. The status of the tenant-at-will depends on certain stipulations, if included in a contract.
Sub-tenants: These were appointed by the occupancy tenants.
Rights and responsibilities of marusi or tenant with occupancy rights
An occupancy tenant has the right to hold his land if he pays the rate fixed by the authority. These tenants can also pass it on to his descendants on same terms. An occupancy tenant is required to pay rent to the landlord.
FAQs
What is marusi?
Tenants having the occupancy rights are known as marusi.
What is gair-marusi?
Tenants at will are known as gair-marusi.
What is the difference between marusi and gair-marusi tenants?
While one enjoys the occupancy rights, the other does not have any such right.
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